Modified human rotaviruses and uses therefor

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of viral vaccines. Particularly, the present disclosure provides a modified Vero-adapted human rotavirus strain and a culturing method to produce high titer virus, a rotavirus vaccine, vaccination protocols and diagnostics and prognostic assays.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/423,660, filed 24 Feb. 2015, which is a National Stage Entry of PCT/AU2013/000945, filed 26 Aug. 2013, and is associated with and claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2012903702, filed on 27 Aug. 2012, entitled “Modified human rotaviruses and uses therefor”, the entire contents of which, are incorporated herein by reference.

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

The Sequence Listing in file SubstituteSequenceListing_50653-502N01US .txt, created on Dec. 3, 2016, 155,147 bytes, machine format IBM-PC, MS-Windows operating system, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of viral vaccines. Particularly, the present disclosure provides a modified human rotavirus strain and a culturing method to produce high titer virus, a rotavirus vaccine, vaccination protocols and diagnostic and prognostic assays.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any country.

Bibliographic details of the publications referred to by author in this specification are collected alphabetically at the end of the description.

Worldwide, rotaviruses (RVs) are a major cause of diarrhea-associated morbidity and mortality in infants and young children. RV infection is responsible for more than 500,000 deaths annually, mainly in developing countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that development of a safe and effective vaccine is a priority (Bern and Glass (1994) Impact of diarrheal diseases worldwide In Kapikian Ariz. (ed) Viral Infections of the grastrointestinal tract, 2^(nd) edition, New York Marcel Dekker, Inc.:1-26; Jiang et al. (2002) Clin Infect Dis 34:1351-1361).

In particular, RV cause acute gastroenteritis, a disease that requires hospitalization of infants and young children. Studies in the U.S., Australia, and Japan have demonstrated that between 34 and 63% of hospitalizations of children for acute diarrheal disease are associated with RV infection. The incidence of hospitalization for RV gastroenteritis in a health maintenance organization in the U.S. was estimated to be 222 per 100,000 in children from 13 to 24 months of age, and 362 per 100,000 in those less than one year. Infection with RV was associated with 63% of all hospitalizations for acute diarrhea in this pediatric population. A review of mortality data in the U.S. from 1973 to 1983 indicated that 500 deaths per year occur in children less than 4 years old due to diarrheal diseases, and that 20 to 80% of excess winter deaths due to diarrhea in the U.S. are associated with RV infections. RVs are also responsible for a substantial proportion of the mortality associated with diarrheal diseases in third world countries. An effective RV vaccine would, therefore, have a major impact on the health of children in both the developed and developing areas of the world.

RVs are non-enveloped icosahedral viruses whose capsid is formed by three concentric layers of viral protein (VP). The innermost layer is formed by 60 dimers of VP2 that surrounds the viral genome which is composed of 11 segments of double-stranded RNA and 12 copies of each of VP1 (the RV polymerase) and VP3 (the virus copping enzyme). The second layer of protein is formed by 280 trimers of VP6 which is located on top of VP2 to form double-layered particles (DLPs). Finally, the addition of 280 trimers of the glycoprotein, VP7, which constitute the outermost layer of the RV and 60 dimeric spikes of the VP4 protein to the DLPs, serve to form the triple-layered particles (TLPs) which represent the mature, infectious RV.

VP7 is an outer capsid protein. It is a glycoprotein and interacts with VP4 and VP6. Another group of proteins is the “non-structural proteins” (NSPs). NSP5, for example, has been proposed to have a structural role together with NSP2 in the assembly of viroplasms and for virus replication.

Sato et al. (1981) Arch. Virol. 69:155-160, described successful cultivation of human RVs from fecal specimens using roller cultures of MA104 cells (fetal kidney cells from Rhesus monkeys). However, MA104 cells are relatively uncharacterized, at least for use as vehicles for generating viruses for a vaccine. There is a need to develop a protocol for cultivating RV in a well characterized cell system for use in the development of an RV vaccine. There is also a need for the virus to be of sufficient titer to produce a protective immunological and response in subjects.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Nucleotide and amino acid sequences are referred to by a sequence identifier number (SEQ ID NO). The SEQ ID NOs correspond numerically to the sequence identifiers <400>1 (SEQ ID NO:1), <400>2 (SEQ ID NO:2), etc. A summary of the sequence identifiers is provided in Table 1. A sequence listing is provided after the claims.

A culture method is provided for rotavirus (RV) in Vero cells. Reference to “Vero cells” includes Vero cell-derived cell lines. The RVs are referred to as “Vero-adapted” RVs or “RV3-Vero” or “RV3BB”. The method involves trypsinization of an RV inoculum and culturing the trypsinized RV in Vero cells. This trypsin methodology uses much higher concentrations of trypsin to activate the virus to enable RV3 to grow in Vero cells, than is used in other RV production. Reference to “trypsinization” means treating the RV to a trypsin from any source including one or more of porcine, ruminant animal (e.g. bovine) and recombinant trypsin. On adaption to growth in continuous cell lines, the RV agents undergo a genomic modification, which is conveniently identified as an deduced amino acid change in one or both of the structural and non-structural proteins including VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP4, NSP5/6 and/or a nucleotide change in VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP2, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6. Genetic modifications leading to amino acid changes in other RV proteins or nucleotide changes in the RV genome are also contemplated by the present disclosure. The Vero-adapted RVs are proposed to be useful in vaccine development. Diagnostic and prognostic assays are also proposed to monitor RV infection, vaccine integrity and/or the efficacy of therapeutic or prophylactic protocols.

Hence, a Vero cell-adapted (“Vero-adapted”) RV (also referred to as an RV-Vero or Vero-RV or RV3BB or Vero-adapted RV3BB) is provided comprising a mutation in VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6 and/or in a gene encoding VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP2, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6, compared to the corresponding proteins in MA104-adapted RV.

For convenience, nucleotide and amino acid comparisons are made with reference to the MA104-adapted RV3 sequences published by Rippinger et al. (2010) Virology 405(1):1201-1213.

A method of culturing RV in Vero cells is also contemplated comprising trypsinizing an inoculum or aliquot of RV using a higher concentration of trypsin in relation to other RV activation protocols. Then culturing the RV in the presence of Vero cells for a time and under conditions sufficient for a genetic modification to occur resulting in at least an amino acid change in one or both of VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6 and/or in a gene encoding VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP2, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6 such as when compared to MA104-adapted RV. As indicated above, the trypsin may be from any source such as a porcine trypsin, a ruminant animal trypsin or a recombinant trypsin. A ruminant animal trypsin includes a trypsin from cattle (bovine), sheep (ovine), goat (caprine), giraffe, yak, camel (camelus), llama, antelope or macropod. In an embodiment, the trypsin is porcine, bovine, ovine, caprine, camelus or recombinant trypsin.

In an embodiment, there is an amino acid or nucleotide change in a codon in NSP4 selected from 53, 76, 85, 162 and 165, a codon in NSP5/6 selected from 46 and 112, a codon in VP1 selected from 886, a codon in VP3 selected from 643 and 785, and a codon in VP4 selected from 43, 374, 385, 388, 442 and 756 and/or a nucleotide in NSP2 selected from 433, a nucleotide in NSP4 selected from 197, 267, 294, 525 and 534, a nucleotide in NSP5/6 selected from 158, 165 and 355, a nucleotide in VP1 selected from 2692, a nucleotide in VP3 selected from 343, 1366, 1744, 1976 and 2402 and/or a nucleotide in VP4 selected from 136, 369, 1130, 1162, 1171, 1334 and 2276.

Another aspect is directed to a composition comprising Vero-adapted RV3BB and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents and/or excipients. Such a composition is considered a live attenuated RV vaccine or a killed RV vaccine.

Another aspect is directed to the use of a Vero-RV such as Vero-RV3 or a component thereof in the manufacture of a medicament in the treatment of RV infection or re-infection in a subject.

Diagnostic agents such as antibodies to Vero-adapted RV are also provided.

A nucleotide “change” includes a nucleotide substitution, addition, deletion or insertion. The change may or may not result in a corresponding amino acid change in a protein encoded by the nucleotide sequence carrying the change. Such nucleotide or amino acid changes are also useful for diagnostic purposes to monitor inter alia virus infection, load, therapeutic efficacy and evolution or adaptation. A summary of the differences in amino acid sequence and nucleotide sequence between Vero-adapted RV3 and MA104-adapted RV3 is shown in Table 2 and Table 5.

TABLE 1 Summary of sequence identifiers SEQUENCE ID NO: DESCRIPTION 1 Primer - JCVI_VP1_5′UTR 2 Primer - GEN-VP1R 3 Primer - GEN-VP2F 4 Primer - GEN-VP2R 5 Primer - GEN-VP3F 6 Primer - GEN-VP3R 7 Primer - JP_1_For_g4_RV3 8 Primer - JCVI_VP4_3′UTR 9 Primer - GEN-VP6F 10 Primer - GEN-VP6R 11 Primer - Beg9 12 Primer - End9 13 Primer - JCVI_NSP1_5′UTR 14 Primer - JCVI_NSP1_3′UTR 15 Primer - GEN-NSP2F 16 Primer - GEN-NSP2R 17 Primer - GEN-NSP3F 18 Primer - GEN-NSP3R 19 Primer - 10.1 20 Primer - 10.2 21 Primer - GEN-NSP5F 22 Primer - GEN-NSP5R 23 Nucleotide sequence MA104-derived RV3 NSP1 gene 24 Amino acid sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 NSP1 protein 25 Nucleotide sequence RV3-Vero NSP1 gene 26 Amino acid sequence of RV3-Vero NSP1 protein 27 Nucleotide sequence MA104-derived RV3 NSP5/6 gene 28 Amino acid sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 NSP5 protein 29 Nucleotide sequence RV3-Vero NSP5/6 gene 30 Amino acid sequence of RV3-Vero NSP5 protein 31 Nucleotide sequence MA104-derived RV3 NSP2 gene 32 Amino acid sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 NSP2 protein 33 Nucleotide sequence RV3-Vero NSP2 gene 34 Amino acid sequence of the coding region of RV3-Vero NSP2 protei

35 Nucleotide sequence MA104-derived RV3 NSP4 gene 36 Amino acid sequence of RV3 NSP4 protein 37 Nucleotide sequence RV3-Vero NSP4 gene 38 Amino acid sequence of RV3-Vero NSP4 protein 39 Nucleotide sequence MA104-derived RV3 VP6 gene 40 Amino acid sequence of MA104-derived RV3 VP6 protein 41 Nucleotide sequence RV3-Vero VP6 gene 42 Amino acid sequence of RV3-Vero VP6 protein 43 Nucleotide sequence MA104-adapted RV3 NSP3 gene 44 Amino acid sequence of MA104-derived RV3 NSP3 protein 45 Nucleotide sequence RV3-Vero NSP3 gene 46 Amino acid sequence of RV3 Vero NSP3 protein 47 Nucleotide sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 VP1 48 Amino acid sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 VP1 49 Nucleotide sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 VP1 50 Amino acid sequence Vero-adapted RV3 VP1 51 Nucleotide Sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 VP2 gene 52 Amino acid sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 VP2 protein 53 Nucleotide sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 VP2 gene 54 Amino acid sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 VP2 protein 55 Nucleotide sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 VP3 gene 56 Amino acid sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 VP3 protein 57 Nucleotide sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 VP3 gene 58 Amino acid sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 VP3 protein 59 Nucleotide sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 VP4 gene 60 Amino acid sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 VP4 gene 61 Nucleotide sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 VP4 gene 62 Amino acid sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 VP4 protein 63 Nucleotide sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 VP7 gene 64 Amino acid sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 VP7 protein 65 Nucleotide sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 VP7 gene 66 Amino acid sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 VP7 protein

indicates data missing or illegible when filed

TABLE 2 Summary of differences between MA104-adapted RV3 and Vero-adapted RV3¹ Gene or Protein MA104-adapted RV3 Vero-adapted RV3 NSP1 gene — — NSP1 protein — — NSP2 gene 387G 433A NSP2 protein — — NSP3 gene — — NSP3 protein — — NSP4 gene 157G 197A 227T 267C 254G 294A 485T 525G 494C 534T NSP4 protein 53A 53T 76I 76T 85C 85Y 162V 162G 165P 165L NSP5/6 gene 137G 158A 144T 165C 334T 355A NSP5/6 protein 46G 46E 112L 112I VP1 gene 2656G 2692T VP1 protein 886V 886F VP2 gene — — VP2 protein — — VP3 gene 294T 343C 1317A 1366G 1695T 1744C 1927G 1976A 2353T 2402C VP3 protein 643E 643K 785Y 785H VP4 gene 127C 136A 360A 369G 1121T 1130C 1153G 1162A 1162A 1171C 1325G 1334A 2267A 2276T VP4 protein 43P 43T 374L 374S 385D 385N 388I 388L 442R 442H 756N 756I VP6 gene — — VP6 protein — — VP7 gene — — VP7 protein — — ¹The nucleotide number or amino acid residue number is based on the numbering adopted by Rippinger et al, 2010 supra.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a representation of the nucleotide sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 NSP1 gene (SEQ ID NO: 23).

FIG. 2 is a representation of the deduced amino acid sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 NSP1 protein (SEQ ID NO: 24).

FIG. 3 is a representation of the nucleotide sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 NSP1 gene (SEQ ID NO: 25).

FIG. 4 is a representation of the deduced amino acid sequence of Vero-adapted NSP1 protein (SEQ ID NO: 26).

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a representation of a comparison of the nucleotide sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 23) and Vero-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 25) NSP1 genes.

FIG. 6 is a representation of a comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 24) and Vero-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 26) NSP1 protein.

FIG. 7 is a representation of the nucleotide sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 NSP2 gene (SEQ ID NO: 31).

FIG. 8 is a representation of the deduced amino acid sequence MA104-adapted RV3 NSP2 protein (SEQ ID NO: 32).

FIG. 9 is a representation of the nucleotide sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 NSP2 gene (SEQ ID NO: 33).

FIG. 10 is a representation of the deduced amino acid sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 NSP2 protein (SEQ ID NO: 34).

FIG. 11 is a representation of a comparison of the nucleotide sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 31) and Vero-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 33) NSP2 genes.

FIG. 12 is a representation of a comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 32) and Vero-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 34) NSP2 proteins.

FIG. 13 is a representation of the nucleotide sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 NSP3 gene (SEQ ID NO: 43).

FIG. 14 is a representation of the deduced amino acid sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 NSP3 protein (SEQ ID NO: 44).

FIG. 15 is a representation of the nucleotide sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 NSP3 gene (SEQ ID NO: 45).

FIG. 16 is a representation of the deduced amino acid sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 NSP3 protein (SEQ ID NO: 46).

FIG. 17 is a representation of a comparison of the nucleotide sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 43) and Vero-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 45) NSP3 genes.

FIG. 18 is a representation of a comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 44) and Vero-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 46) NSP2 proteins.

FIG. 19 is a representation of the nucleotide sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 NSP4 gene (SEQ ID NO: 35).

FIG. 20 is a representation of the deduced amino acid sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 NSP4 protein (SEQ ID NO: 36).

FIG. 21 is a representation of the nucleotide sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 NSP4 gene (SEQ ID NO: 37).

FIG. 22 is a representation of the deduced amino acid sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 NSP4 protein (SEQ ID NO: 38).

FIG. 23 is a representation of a comparison of the nucleotide sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 35) and Vero-derived RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 37) NSP4 genes.

FIG. 24 is a representation of a comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 36) and Vero-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 38) NSP4 proteins.

FIG. 25 is a representation of the nucleotide sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 NSP5/6 gene (SEQ ID NO: 27).

FIG. 26 is a representation of the deduced amino acid sequence MA104-adapted RV3 NSP5 protein (SEQ ID NO: 28).

FIG. 27 is a representation of the nucleotide sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 NSP5/6 gene (SEQ ID NO: 29).

FIG. 28 is a representation of the deduced amino acid sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 NSP5 protein (SEQ ID NO: 30).

FIG. 29 is a representation of a comparison of the nucleotide sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 27) and Vero-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 29) NSP5/6 genes.

FIG. 30 is a representation of a comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 28) and Vero-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 30) NSP5 proteins.

FIG. 31 is a representation of the nucleotide sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 VP1 gene (SEQ ID NO: 47).

FIG. 32 is a representation of the amino acid sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 VP1 probe (SEQ ID NO: 48).

FIG. 33 is a representation of the nucleotide sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 VP1 gene (SEQ ID NO: 49).

FIG. 34 is a representation of the amino acid sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 VP1 protein (SEQ ID NO: 50).

FIGS. 35A, 35B, 35C and 35D are a representation of a comparison of MA104-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 47) and Vero-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 49) VP1 genes.

FIG. 36 is a representation of a comparison of MA104-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 48) and Vero-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 50) VP1 proteins.

FIG. 37 is a representation of the nucleotide sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 VP2 gene (SEQ ID NO: 51).

FIG. 38 is a representation of the amino acid sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 VP2 protein (SEQ ID NO: 52).

FIG. 39 is a representation of the nucleotide sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 VP2 gene (SEQ ID NO: 53).

FIG. 40 is a representation of the amino acid sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 VP2 protein (SEQ ID NO: 54).

FIGS. 41A, 41B and 41C are a representation of a comparison of MA104-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 51) and Vero-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 53) VP2 genes.

FIG. 42 is a representation of a comparison of MA104-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 52) and Vero-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 54) VP2 proteins.

FIG. 43 is a representation of the nucleotide sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 VP3 gene (SEQ ID NO: 55).

FIG. 44 is a representation of the deduced amino acid sequence MA104-adapted RV3 VP3 protein (SEQ ID NO: 56).

FIG. 45 is a representation of the nucleotide sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 VP3 gene (SEQ ID NO: 57).

FIG. 46 is a representation of the deduced amino acid sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 VP3 protein (SEQ ID NO: 58).

FIGS. 47A, 48B and 47C are a representation of a comparison of the nucleotide sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 55) and Vero-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 57) VP3 genes.

FIG. 48 is a representation of a comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 56) and Vero-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 58) VP3 proteins.

FIG. 49 is a representation of the nucleotide sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 VP4 gene (SEQ ID NO: 59).

FIG. 50 is a representation of the amino acid sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 VP4 protein (SEQ ID NO: 60).

FIG. 51 is a representation of the nucleotide sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 VP4 gene (SEQ ID NO: 61).

FIG. 52 is a representation of the amino acid of Vero-adapted RV3 VP4 protein (SEQ ID NO: 62).

FIGS. 53A, 53B and 53C are a representation of a comparison of MA104-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 59) and Vero-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 61) VP4 genes.

FIG. 54 is a representation of a comparison of MA104-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 60) and Vero-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 62) VP4 proteins.

FIG. 55 is a representation of the nucleotide sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 VP6 gene (SEQ ID NO: 39).

FIG. 56 is a representation of the amino acid sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 VP6 protein (SEQ ID NO: 40).

FIG. 57 is a representation of the nucleotide sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 VP6 gene (SEQ ID NO: 41).

FIG. 58 is a representation of the amino acid sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 VP6 protein (SEQ ID NO: 42).

FIGS. 59A and 59B are a representation of a comparison of MA104-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 39) and Vero-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 41) VP6 genes.

FIG. 60 is a representation of a comparison of MA104-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 40) and Vero-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 42) VP6 proteins.

FIG. 61 is a representation of the nucleotide sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 VP7 gene (SEQ ID NO: 63).

FIG. 62 is a representation of the amino acid sequence of MA104-adapted RV3 VP7 protein (SEQ ID NO: 64).

FIG. 63 is a representation of the nucleotide sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 VP7 gene (SEQ ID NO: 65).

FIG. 64 is a representation of the amino acid sequence of Vero-adapted RV3 VP7 protein (SEQ ID NO: 66).

FIG. 65 is a representation of a comparison of MA104-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 63) and Vero-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 65) VP7 genes.

FIG. 66 is a representation of a comparison of MA104-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 64) and Vero-adapted RV3 (SEQ ID NO: 66) VP7 proteins.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or integer or method step or group of elements or integers or method steps but not the exclusion of any element or integer or method step or group of elements or integers or method steps.

It must be noted that, as used in the subject specification, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural aspects unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a rotavirus” includes a single rotavirus, as well as two or more rotaviruses; reference to “an agent” includes a single agent, as well as two or more agents; reference to “the disclosure” includes a single reference to “the disclosure” includes a single and multiple aspects taught by the disclosure; and so forth. Aspects taught and enabled herein are encompassed by the term “invention”. All such aspects are enabled within the width of the present invention.

A method is contemplated for culturing a strain of RV, the method comprising subjecting an aliquot or inoculum of RV to trypsinization using a higher concentration of trypsin relative to other RV activation protocols, then culturing the trypsinized RV in Vero cells or a Vero cell-derived cell line for a time and under conditions sufficient for the RV to undergo a genetic modification resulting in an amino acid change in at least one of VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6 and/or a nucleotide change in at lest one of VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP2, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6.

Reference to “change” includes an amino acid or nucleotide substitution, deletion, addition or insertion. Reference to “trypsinization” means treatment of the RV with a trypsin. The trypsin may be from any source and includes porcine trypsin, a ruminant animal trypsin and a recombinant trypsin. A ruminant animal trypsin may be from cattle (i.e. bovine animal), sheep (ovine), goat (caprine), giraffe, yak, camel (camelus), llama, antelope or a macropod. In an embodiment, the trypsin is porcine, bovine, ovine, caprine, camelus or recombinant trypsin. In an embodiment, the trypsin is porcine trypsin. In an embodiment, the trypsin is bovine trypsin. In an embodiment, the trypsin is porcine, bovine or recombinant trypsin. In an embodiment, the trypsin is a recombinant trypsin. A “recombinant trypsin” is a trypsin of any origin generated by expression of engineered genetic material in any cell type (e.g. a bacterial, insect, yeast or mammalian cell).

The RV strain is, in an embodiment, RV3. RVs produced are conveniently referred to as “Vero cell-adapted RV” or “Vero-adapted RV’ or “Vero-RV” or “RV-Vero” or RV3BB. In a further aspect, the modified Vero-RVs are harvested, such as for use in a vaccine or for the generation of antibodies.

Hence, a method is contemplated for culturing a strain of RV3, the method comprising subjecting an aliquot or inoculum of RV3 to trypsinization using a higher concentration of trypsin relative to other RV3 activation protocols, then culturing the trypsinized RV in Vero cells or a Vero cell-derived cell line for a time and under conditions sufficient for the RV to undergo a genetic modification resulting in an amino acid change in VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6 and/or a nucleotide change in VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP2, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6 and then optionally harvesting the modified RV3.

Enabled herein is a method is contemplated for culturing a strain of RV3, the method comprising subjecting an aliquot or inoculum of RV3 to trypsinization using a higher concentration of porcine, ruminant animal or recombinant trypsin relative to other RV3 activation protocols, then culturing the trypsinized RV in Vero cells or a Vero cell-derived cell line for a time and under conditions sufficient for the RV to undergo a genetic modification resulting in an amino acid change in VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6 and/or a nucleotide change in VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP2, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6 and then optionally harvesting the modified RV3.

Enabled herein is a method is contemplated for culturing a strain of RV3, the method comprising subjecting an aliquot or inoculum of RV3 to trypsinization using a higher concentration of porcine, bovine or recombinant trypsin relative to other RV3 activation protocols, then culturing the trypsinized RV in Vero cells or a Vero cell-derived cell line for a time and under conditions sufficient for the RV to undergo a genetic modification resulting in an amino acid change in VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6 and/or a nucleotide change in VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP2, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6 and then optionally harvesting the modified RV3

In an embodiment, the RV is an R electropherotype such as RV1, RV2 or RV3. More particularly, the strain is RV3. In another embodiment, the RV is an M-electropherotype such as RV5 or a PA-electropherotype such as RV6 (see Rodger et al. (1981) J. Clin. Microbiol 13:272-278; Albert et al. (1983) J. Clin. Microbiol 17:162-164).

A method is therefore described herein for culturing a strain of RV in particular RV3BB to a high titer in Vero cells, the method comprising subjecting an aliquot or inoculum of RV to trypsinization using a higher concentration of tryspin relative to other RV activation protocols and then culturing the trypsinized RV in Vero cells or a Vero cell-derived cell line for a time and under conditions sufficient for the RV to undergo a genetic modification resulting in an amino acid change in VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6 and/or a nucleotide change in VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP2, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6 and then optionally harvesting the modified RV.

The culturing protocol described herein enables the generation of live attenuated RV or a preparation of RV which can be killed or otherwise inactivated for use as a vaccine or to develop antibodies thereto or other diagnostic agents.

Hence, a method is provided for producing a live attenuated RV, the method comprising subjecting an aliquot or inoculum of an attenuated strain of RV to trypsinization using a higher concentration of trypsin relative to other RV activation protocols and then culturing the trypsinized RV in Vero cells or a Vero cell-derived cell line for a time an under conditions sufficient for the RV to undergo a genetic modification resulting in an amino acid change in VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6 and/or a nucleotide change in VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP2, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6.

In an alternative embodiment, as indicated above RVs are cultured and harvested and then killed, hence, generating a killed RV preparation for use in a killed RV vaccine.

Reference to a “genetic modification” includes single or multiple nucleotide substitutions, additions, deletions and/or insertions. In a particular embodiment, the genetic modification leads to an amino acid alteration (i.e. a substitution, addition, deletion or insertion) in an encoded protein such NSP4, NSP5 or VP7. In another embodiment, the modification leads to a nucleotide substitution, addition, deletion and/or insertion to a gene encoding VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP2, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6. In another embodiment, the modification leads to an amino acid change in one or more of VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6.

The genetic modification to the RV is conveniently compared to an RV cultured in MA104 cells (i.e. an MA104-adapted RV). This RV cultured in MA104 cells is not suitable for vaccine production as MA104 cells have not been fully qualified and their potential tumorgenecity profile is undertermined at this time.

A method is contemplated for culturing a strain of RV, the method comprising subjecting an aliquot or inoculum of RV to trypsinization using a higher concentration of trypsin relative to other RV activation protocols and then culturing the trypsinized RV in Vero cells or a Vero cell-derived cell line for a time and under conditions sufficient for the RV to undergo an amino acid medication in one or more of VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6 and/or a nucleotide change in VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP2, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6.

A method is also described herein for culturing a strain of RV selected from the list consisting of RV1, RV2, RV3, RV5 and RV6, the method comprising subjecting an aliquot or inoculum of RV to trypsinization using a higher concentration of trypsin relative to other RV activation protocols and then culturing the trypsinized RV in Vero cells or a Vero cell-derived cell line for a time and under conditions sufficient for the RV to undergo an amino acid modification in one or more of VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6 and/or a nucleotide change in VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP2, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6 in RV3 or its equivalent in RV1, RV2, RV5 or RV6 and then optionally harvesting the modified RV.

In relation to an embodiment, a method is contemplated for culturing a strain of RV3, the method comprising subjecting an aliquot or inoculum of RV3 to trypsinization using a higher concentration of trypsin relative to other RV activation protocols and then culturing the trypsinized RV3 in Vero cells or a Vero cell-derived cell line for a time and under conditions sufficient for the RV3 to undergo an amino acid change in VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6 and/or a nucleotide change in VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP2, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6.

The harvested RVs are useful in the preparation of a live, attenuated RV composition including a vaccine composition. Alternatively, the harvested RVs are killed and used in a killed RV composition.

Hence, a method is provided for producing live attenuated RV, the method comprising subjecting an aliquot or inoculum of an attenuated strain of RV to trypsinization using a higher concentration of trypsin relative to other RV activation protocols and then culturing the trypsinized RV in Vero cells or a Vero cell-derived cell line for a time an under conditions sufficient for the RV to undergo an amino acid change in one or more of VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6 and/or a nucleotide change in one or more of VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP2, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6.

In an embodiment, the RV is RV3, also referred to as RV3BB and the genetic modifications are those listed in Table 2 or Table 5. The present disclosure contemplates one or all mutations as listed in Table 2 or Table 5.

A method is therefore provided for culturing an RV in Vero cells, the method comprising subjecting the RV to trypsinization using a higher concentration of trypsin relative to other RV activation protocols and then culturing the trypsinized RV with Vero cells or a Vero cell-derived cell line for a time and under conditions sufficient for a genetic modification to occur at a site selected from the list a mutation listed in Table 2 or Table 5.

Reference to “equivalent” includes the corresponding nucleotide or amino acid in another strain of RV3 or another RV.

An isolated Vero-adapted RV is also described comprising a genetic modification in a gene or protein selected from the list consisting of VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP2, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6, the mutation selected from those in Table 2 or Table 5.

A method is contemplated herein for generating an attenuated RV3 in Vero cells, the method comprising trypsinizing an aliquot or inoculum of an attenuated RV3 and culturing the trypsinized RV3 with Vero cells or a Vero cell-derived cell line for a time and under conditions sufficient for a genetic modification to occur in a gene selected from the list set forth in Table 2 or Table 5 compared to MA104-adapted RV3.

The above-mentioned mutations are described using single amino acid codes as defined in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Abbreviations Amino Acid Three-letter Abbreviation One-letter Symbol Alanine Ala A Arginine Arg R Asparagine Asn N Aspartic acid Asp D Cysteine Cys C Glutamine Gln Q Glutamic acid Glu E Glycine Gly G Histidine His H Isoleucine Ile I Leucine Leu L Lysine Lys K Methionine Met M Phenylalamine Phe F Proline Pro P Serine Ser S Threonine Thr T Tryptophan Trp W Tyrosine Tyr Y Valine Val V

The present disclosure is instructional for a method for generating an attenuated RV3 in Vero cells the method comprising trypsinizing an aliquot or inoculum of an attenuated RV3 and culturing the trypsinized RV3 with Vero cells or a Vero cell-derived cell line for a time and under conditions sufficient for a genetic modification to occur selected from the list comprising nucleotide substitutions, deletions and/or additions at a codon in NSP4 selected from 53, 76, 85, 162 and 165, a codon in NSP5/6 selected from 46 and 112, a codon in VP1 selected from 886, a codon in VP3 selected from 643 and 785, and a codon in VP4 selected from 43, 374, 385, 388, 442 and 756 and/or a nucleotide in NSP2 selected from 433, a nucleotide in NSP4 selected from 197, 267, 294, 525 and 534, a nucleotide in NSP5/6 selected from 158, 165 and 355, a nucleotide in VP1 selected from 2692, a nucleotide in VP3 selected from 343, 1366, 1744, 1976 and 2402 and/or a nucleotide in VP4 selected from 136, 369, 1130, 1162, 1171, 1334 and 2276.

The production of a Vero-adapted RV and in particular a Vero-adapted RV3 enables its use as an attenuated live RV vaccine. Alternatively, the RV produced in Vero cells can be killed and used as a killed RV vaccine.

Taught herein, therefore, is an attenuated live or killed RV composition comprising an RV having one more mutations in VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP2, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6, the composition further comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents and/or excipients.

In an embodiment, a composition is enabled comprising an attenuated or killed Vero-adapted RV having a genetic modification selected from one or more of a mutation in a codon in NSP4 selected from 53, 76, 85, 162 and 165, a codon in NSP5/6 selected from 46 and 112, a codon in VP1 selected from 886, a codon in VP3 selected from 643 and 785, and a codon in VP4 selected from 43, 374, 385, 388, 442 and 756 and/or a nucleotide in NSP2 selected from 433, a nucleotide in NSP4 selected from 197, 267, 294, 525 and 534, a nucleotide in NSP5/6 selected from 158, 165 and 355, a nucleotide in VP1 selected from 2692, a nucleotide in VP3 selected from 343, 1366, 1744, 1976 and 2402 and/or a nucleotide in VP4 selected from 136, 369, 1130, 1162, 1171, 1334 and 2276, compared to MA104-adapted RV3, the composition further comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents and/or excipients.

A composition is provided comprising a live attenuated or killed RV3 comprising one or more mutations selected from the list in Table 2 or Table 5 compared to MA104-adapted RV3.

In an embodiment, the RV comprises one or more mutations listed in Table 2 or Table 5 including 1 to 38 mutations such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 or 38 mutation.

Preparation of the composition is conveniently undertaken to World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Generally, the composition is given orally before three months of age and as soon as practicable after birth. The composition may also be referred to as a vaccine, formulation, medicament and other like terms.

The desired immunological or physiological effect of the vaccine is the inhibition of RV infection, a prevention of re-infection by RV, clarification of RV from a target subject, or otherwise an amelioration of the symptoms of RV infection such as acute diarrhea and/or fluid loss (including dehydration). Specifically, the effect includes the generation of an immune response and in particular a humoral immune response against RV or an RV component such as a protein, carbohydrate or lipid.

The vaccine may also comprise two or more different strains of RV or two or more antigenic or immunogenic components thereof. A “combination” also includes multi-part compositions such as a two-part composition where the viral agents are provided separately and given or dispensed separately or admixed together prior to dispenzation. For example, a multi-part pharmaceutical pack may have two or more live attenuated or killed RV agents or components thereof separately maintained.

The viral agents described herein may be maintained in a state referred to as a vaccine, formulation, medicament or composition or they may be in a dried, freeze dried, frozen or dehydrated form and what are reconstituted in a formulation prior to use. The term “vaccine” is not to regarded as limiting the formulation to agents which induce an immune response since the formulation may comprise RV-specific antibodies.

A method is enabled herein for vaccinating a human subject against RV infection, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a live, attenuated Vero-adapted RV3 or a killed Vero-adapted RV3 for a time and under conditions sufficient to generate an immune response against RV infection.

In particular, the immune response is a protective immune response. The immune response may be useful prior to, during or subsequent to infection or re-infection by a non-attenuated (virulent) strain of RV.

A method for treating a human subject with an RV infection or at risk of developing an RV infection or re-infection is taught by the present disclosure, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a live, attenuated Vero-adapted RV3 or a killed Vero-adapted RV3 for a time and under conditions sufficient to generate an immune response against RV infection. Such a method includes treating a human subject with diarrhea caused by RV.

An “effective amount” includes a “therapeutically effective amount”.

The terms “effective amount” and “therapeutically effective amount” of a vaccine or agent therein as used herein mean a sufficient amount of the agent (e.g. live attenuated RV or killed RV) to provide the desired therapeutic or physiological effect or outcome which is reduction in RV infection or generation of RV-specific antibodies. Undesirable effects, e.g. side effects, are sometimes manifested along with the desired therapeutic effect; hence, a practitioner balances the potential benefits against the potential risks in determining what is an appropriate “effective amount”. The exact amount required will vary from subject to subject, depending on the age and general condition of the subject, mode of administration and the like. Thus, it may not be possible to specify an exact “effective amount”. However, an appropriate “effective amount” in any individual case may be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art using only routine experimentation.

Hence, as used herein, an “effective amount” refers to an amount of viral agent or component thereof that provides the desired effect of reducing RV infection, ameliorating symptoms of RV infection and/or generating RV-specific antibodies when administered according to a suitable dosing regime. Dosing may occur at intervals of several minutes, hours, days, weeks or months. Suitable dosage amounts and regimes can be determined by the attending physician or other care provider. For example, the administration of a live, attenuated RV includes 10⁵ to 10⁸ ffu/ml such as 10⁵, 10⁶, 10⁷ and 10⁸ ffu/ml.

By “pharmaceutically acceptable” carrier, excipient or diluent is meant a pharmaceutical vehicle comprised of a material that is not biologically or otherwise undesirable, i.e. the material may be administered to a subject along with the selected viral agent or component thereof without causing any or a substantial adverse reaction. Carriers may include excipients and other additives such as diluents, detergents, coloring agents, wetting or emulsifying agents, pH buffering agents, preservatives and the like.

The terms “treating” and “treatment” as used herein refer to reduction in severity and/or frequency of symptoms of RV infection, elimination of symptoms of RV infection, prevention of the occurrence of symptoms of RV infection and improvement or remediation or amelioration of symptoms following RV infection. Symptoms include acute or chronic diarrhea, fluid loss and/or fever.

“Treating” a subject may involve prevention of RV infection as well as treatment of a clinically symptomatic individual by ameliorating the symptoms of the condition. Treatment of a symptomatic subject is also contemplated. The term “treating” also applies to prophylaxis and induction of immunological memory against RV. The human subject may directly be treated or a pregnant mother may be treated with the desired immune response being passed onto the unborn infant.

A “subject” as used herein generally refers to a human who can benefit from the pharmaceutical formulations and methods described herein. A subject, may be referred to inter alia as an individual, patient, host or recipient.

Human subjects may be of any age. Examples of particular susceptible humans include from 0 to 5 years and over 50 years old such as 51 to 60, 61 to 70, 71 to 80, 81 to 90 and over 91 years old. Children of from 6 to 10, 11 to 15 and 16 to 20 are also contemplated as are humans from 21 to 50.

Experimental vaccinations or antibody production may also be in laboratory test animals. Examples of laboratory test animals include mice, rats, rabbits, simian animals, guinea pigs, hamsters and primates such as orangutangs, gorillas, marmosets and Rhesus monkeys. Rabbits, rodent and simian animals provide a particularly convenient test system or animal model.

Compositions enabled herein include those suitable for oral administration and may be presented as discrete units such as liquids, capsules, sachets or tablets each containing a predetermined amount of the RV and/or a component thereof; as a powder or granules; as a solution or a suspension in an aqueous phase or non-aqueous liquid; or as an oil-in-water liquid emulsion or a water-in-oil emulsion. The active ingredient may also be presented as a bolus, electuary or paste.

The compositions may also be referred to as an antigenic composition.

For an antigenic composition to be useful as a vaccine, the composition must induce an immune response to the virus or component thereof. As used herein, an “antigenic composition” may comprise an antigen (e.g. VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP2, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6), a nucleic acid encoding an antigen (e.g. an antigen expression vector), or a cell expressing or presenting an antigen or a live attenuated or killed virus. In another embodiment, the composition is in a mixture that comprises an RV and an additional immunostimulatory agent or nucleic acids encoding such an agent. Immunostimulatory agents include but are not limited to an additional antigen or viral strains, an immunomodulator, an antigen presenting cell or an adjuvant.

In an embodiment, the composition or immunologically functional equivalent, is used as an effective vaccine in inducing a humoral and/or cell-mediated immune response in a human subject against RVs. One or more antigenic compositions or vaccines for use in both active and passive immunization embodiments are contemplated herein.

A vaccine may vary in its composition. Of course, it will be understood that various compositions described herein may further comprise multiple components. For example, a vaccine may comprise one or more adjuvants. A vaccine may be prepared and/or administered by any method as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of the present disclosure.

It is contemplated that immunomodulators may be included in the vaccine to augment a cell's or a patient's response. Immunomodulators can be included as purified proteins, nucleic acids encoding immunomodulators and/or cells that express immunomodulators in the vaccine composition. Non-limiting examples of immunomodulators contemplated herein include interleukins (Ls), cytokines, nucleic acids encoding interleukins or cytokines, and/or cells expressing such compounds. Interleukins and cytokines, include but are not limited to iIL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-11, IL-12, IL-13, IL-14, IL-15, IL-18, □-interferon, □-interferon, □-interferon, angiostatin, thrombospondin, endostatin, GM-CSF, G-CSF, M-CSF, METH-1, METH-2, tumor necrosis factor, TGF□, LT and combinations thereof.

Chemokines, nucleic acids that encode for chemokines, and/or cells that express such also may be used as vaccine components. Chemokines generally act as chemoattractants to recruit immune effector cells to the site of chemokine expression. It may be advantageous to express a particular chemokine coding sequence in combination with, for example, a cytokine coding sequence, to enhance the recruitment of other immune system components to the site of treatment. Such chemokines include, for example, RANTES, MCAF, MIP1-alpha, MIP1-□, IP-10 and combinations thereof. The skilled artisan will recognize that certain cytokines are also known to have chemoattractant effects and could also be classified under the term chemokines.

It may be desirable to co-administer biologic response modifiers (BRM), which have been shown to upregulate T cell immunity or downregulate suppressor cell activity. Such BRMs include, but are not limited to, cimetidine (CIM; 1200 mg/d) (Smith/Kline, PA); low-dose cyclophosphamide (CYP; 300 mg/m2) (Johnson/Mead, NJ), or a gene encoding a protein involved in one or more immune helper functions, such as B-7.

Immunization protocols are contemplated herein including those which use adjuvants to stimulate responses. Some adjuvants affect the way in which antigens are presented.

In certain embodiments, an adjuvant effect is achieved by use of an agent such as alum used in about 0.05 to about 0.1% w/v solution in phosphate buffered saline. Alternatively, the antigen is made as an admixture with synthetic polymers of sugars (Carbopol [Registered Trade Mark]) used as an about 0.25% w/v solution.

Some adjuvants, for example, are certain organic molecules obtained from bacteria, act on the host rather than on the antigen. An example is muramyl dipeptide (N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine [MDP]), a bacterial peptidoglycan. The effects of MDP, as with most adjuvants, are not fully understood. MDP stimulates macrophages but also appears to stimulate B cells directly. The effects of adjuvants, therefore, are not antigen-specific. If they are administered together with a purified antigen, however, they can be used to selectively promote the response to the antigen.

Various polysaccharide adjuvants may also be used. For example, pneumococcal polysaccharide adjuvants may be used. The doses that produce optimal responses, or that otherwise do not produce suppression, should be employed as indicated. Polyamine varieties of polysaccharides are particularly preferred, such as chitin and chitosan, including deacetylated chitin.

Another group of adjuvants are the muramyl dipeptide (MDP, N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine) group of bacterial peptidoglycans. Derivatives of muramyl dipeptide, such as the amino acid derivative threonyl-MDP, and the fatty acid derivative MTPPE, are also contemplated.

Another adjuvant contemplated for use in the present disclosure is BCG. BCG (bacillus Calmette-Guerin, an attenuated strain of Mycobacterium) and BCG-cell wall skeleton (CWS) may also be used as adjuvants in the disclosure, with or without trehalose dimycolate. Trehalose dimycolate may be used itself. Trehalose dimycolate administration has been shown to correlate with augmented resistance to influenza virus infection in mice. Trehalose dimycolate may be prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,945.

BCG is an important clinical tool because of its immunostimulatory properties. BCG acts to stimulate the reticulo-endothelial system, activates natural killer cells and increases proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells. Cell wall extracts of BCG have proven to have excellent immune adjuvant activity. Molecular genetic tools and methods for mycobacteria have provided the means to introduce foreign genes into BCG.

Another aspect is directed to the use of a Vero-RV such as Vero-RV3 or a component thereof in the manufacture of a medicament in the treatment of RV infection/re-infection in a subject.

Antibodies to the Vero-adapted RV agents are also contemplated herein.

By “antibody” is meant a protein of the immunoglobulin family that is capable of combining, interacting or otherwise associating with an antigen (i.e. an RV agent or component thereof). An antibody is, therefore, an antigen-binding molecule. An “antibody” is an example of an immunointeractive molecule and includes a polyclonal or monoclonal antibody. Particular immunointeractive molecules are monoclonal antibodies for use in diagnostics or purification procedure or polyclonal antibodies when induced in a human subject. The term “antibody” also includes engineered antibodies such as bi-specific antibodies to two different RV antigens such as VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP2, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6.

The term “antigen” is used herein in its broadest sense to refer to a substance that is capable of reacting in and/or inducing an immune response. Reference to an “antigen” includes a whole virus or component thereof.

Immunization and subsequent production of monoclonal antibodies can be carried out using standard protocols as for example described by Köhler and Milstein (Kohler et al. (1975) Nature 256:495-499 and Kohler et al. (1976) Eur. J. Immunol. 6(7):511-519; Coligan et al (1991-1997) Current Protocols in Immunology or Toyama et al. (1987) Monoclonal Antibody, Experiment Manual, published by Kodansha Scientific). Essentially, an animal is immunized with Vero-adopted RV or an immunogenic fragment thereof by standard methods to produce antibody-producing cells, particularly antibody-producing somatic cells (e.g. B lymphocytes). These cells can then be removed from the immunized animal for immortalization. The antigen may need to first be associated with a carrier.

By “carrier” is meant any substance of typically high molecular weight to which a non- or poorly immunogenic substance (e.g. a hapten) is naturally or artificially linked to enhance its immunogenicity.

Immortalization of antibody-producing cells may be carried out using methods, which are well-known in the art. For example, the immortalization may be achieved by the transformation method using Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) [Kozbor et al. (1986) Methods in Enzymology 121:140]. In an embodiment, antibody-producing cells are immortalized using the cell fusion method (described in Coligan et al. (1991-1997) supra), which is widely employed for the production of monoclonal antibodies. In this method, somatic antibody-producing cells with the potential to produce antibodies, particularly B cells, are fused with a myeloma cell line. These somatic cells may be derived from the lymph nodes, spleens and peripheral blood of primed animals, preferably rodent animals such as mice and rats. In the exemplary embodiment, mice spleen cells are used. It would be possible, however, to use rat, rabbit, sheep or goat cells, or cells from other animal species instead.

Specialized myeloma cell lines have been developed from lymphocytic tumors for use in hybridoma-producing fusion procedures (Kohler et al. (1976) supra; Kozbor et al. (1986) supra; and Volk et al. (1982) J. Virol. 42(1):220-227). These cell lines have been developed for at least three reasons. The first is to facilitate the selection of fused hybridomas from unfused and similarly indefinitely self-propagating myeloma cells. Usually, this is accomplished by using myelomas with enzyme deficiencies that render them incapable of growing in certain selective media that support the growth of hybridomas. The second reason arises from the inherent ability of lymphocytic tumor cells to produce their own antibodies. To eliminate the production of tumor cell antibodies by the hybridomas, myeloma cell lines incapable of producing endogenous light or heavy immunoglobulin chains are used. A third reason for selection of these cell lines is for their suitability and efficiency for fusion.

Many myeloma cell lines may be used for the production of fused cell hybrids, including, e.g. P3X63-Ag8, P3X63-AG8.653, P3/NS1-Ag4-1 (NS-1), Sp2/0-Ag14 and S194/5.XXO.Bu.1. The P3X63-Ag8 and NS-1 cell lines have been described by Köhler and Milstein (Kohler et al. (1976) supra). Shulman et al. (1978) Nature 276:269-270, developed the Sp2/0-Ag14 myeloma line. The 5194/5.XXO.Bu.1 line was reported by Trowbridge (1982) J. Exp. Med. 148(1):220-227.

Methods for generating hybrids of antibody-producing spleen or lymph node cells and myeloma cells usually involve mixing somatic cells with myeloma cells in a 10:1 proportion (although the proportion may vary from about 20:1 to about 1:1), respectively, in the presence of an agent or agents (chemical, viral or electrical) that promotes the fusion of cell membranes. Fusion methods have been described (Kohler et al. (1975) supra; Kohler et al. (1976) supra; Gefter et al. (1977) Somatic Cell Genet. 3:231-236; and Volk et al. (1982) supra). The fusion-promoting agents used by those investigators were Sendai virus and polyethylene glycol (PEG).

Because fusion procedures produce viable hybrids at very low frequency (e.g. when spleens are used as a source of somatic cells, only one hybrid is obtained for roughly every 1×10⁵ spleen cells), it is useful to have a means of selecting the fused cell hybrids from the remaining unfused cells, particularly the unfused myeloma cells. A means of detecting the desired antibody-producing hybridomas among other resulting fused cell hybrids is also necessary. Generally, the selection of fused cell hybrids is accomplished by culturing the cells in media that support the growth of hybridomas but prevent the growth of the unfused myeloma cells, which normally would go on dividing indefinitely. The-somatic cells used in the fusion do not maintain long-term viability in vitro culture and hence do not pose a problem.

Several weeks are required to selectively culture the fused cell hybrids. Early in this time period, it is necessary to identify those hybrids which produce the desired antibody, so that they may subsequently be cloned and propagated. Generally, around 10% of the hybrids obtained produce the desired antibody, although a range of from about 1 to about 30% is not uncommon. The detection of antibody-producing hybrids can be achieved by any one of several standard assay methods, including enzyme-linked immunoassay and radioimmunoassay techniques as, for example, described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,957.

Once the desired fused cell hybrids have been selected and cloned into individual antibody-producing cell lines, each cell line may be propagated in either of two standard ways. A suspension of the hybridoma cells can be injected into a histocompatible animal. The injected animal will then develop tumors that secrete the specific monoclonal antibody produced by the fused cell hybrid. The body fluids of the animal, such as serum or ascites fluid, can be tapped to provide monoclonal antibodies in high concentration. Alternatively, the individual cell lines may be propagated in vitro in laboratory culture vessels. The culture medium containing high concentrations of a single specific monoclonal antibody can be harvested by decantation, filtration or centrifugation, and subsequently purified.

The cell lines are tested for their specificity to detect the virus or viral antigen of interest by any suitable immunodetection means. For example, cell lines can be aliquoted into a number of wells and incubated and the supernatant from each well is analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), indirect fluorescent antibody technique, or the like. The cell line(s) producing a monoclonal antibody capable of recognizing the target antigen but which does not recognize non-target epitopes are identified and then directly cultured in vitro or injected into a histocompatible animal to form tumors and to produce, collect and purify the required antibodies.

Thus, polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies are provided which specifically interact with Vero-adapted RV such as Vero-adapted RV3 or components thereof, for use in diagnosis or prognosis or for use therapeutically to reducing RV infection, maintenance or assembly.

It is within the scope of this disclosure to include any second antibodies (monoclonal, polyclonal or fragments of antibodies or synthetic antibodies) directed to the first mentioned antibodies referred to above. Both the first and second antibodies may be used in detection assays or a first antibody may be used with a commercially available anti-immunoglobulin antibody. Hence, diagnostic and prognostic assays are provided herein to monitor RV infection, re-infection, history of infection, integrity of a vaccine and to monitor therapeutic intervention.

The use of monoclonal antibodies in an immunoassay is particularly preferred because of the ability to produce them in large quantities and the homogeneity of the product. The preparation of hybridoma cell lines for monoclonal antibody production derived by fusing an immortal cell line and lymphocytes sensitized against the immunogenic preparation can be done by techniques which are well known to those who are skilled in the art.

Another aspect, therefore, provides a method for detecting Vero-adapted RV such as RV3-Vero or a component thereof in a biological sample from a subject, the method comprising contacting the biological sample with an antibody specific for the RV or component thereof or its derivatives or homologs for a time and under conditions sufficient for an antibody-polypeptide complex to form, and then detecting the complex.

A biological sample includes a stool sample.

Hence, the presence of Vero-adapted RVs or antibodies thereto can be detected in a number of ways such as by Western blotting, ELISA procedures and RIP. A wide range of immunoassay techniques are available as can be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,016,043, 4,424,279 and 4,018,653.

Sandwich assays are among the most useful and commonly used assays and are favoured for use in the present disclosure. A number of variations of the sandwich assay technique exist, and all are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure. Briefly, in a typical forward assay, an unlabeled antibody is immobilized on a solid substrate and the sample to be tested for RV or an RV antigen (the “antigen”) brought into contact with the bound molecule. After a suitable period of incubation, for a period of time sufficient to allow formation of an antibody-antigen complex, a second antibody specific to the antigen, labeled with a reporter molecule capable of producing a detectable signal is then added and incubated, allowing time sufficient for the formation of another complex of antibody-antigen-labeled antibody. Any unreacted material is washed away, and the presence of the antigen is determined by observation of a signal produced by the reporter molecule. The results may either be qualitative, by simple observation of the visible signal, or may be quantitated by comparing with a control sample containing known amounts of hapten. Variations on the forward assay include a simultaneous assay, in which both sample and labeled antibody are added simultaneously to the bound antibody. These techniques are well known to those skilled in the art, including any minor variations as will be readily apparent. In accordance with the present disclosure the sample is one which might contain Vero-adapted RV or antibodies thereto including by tissue biopsy, stool sample, blood, synovial fluid and/or lymph. The sample is, therefore, generally a biological sample comprising biological fluid.

In the typical forward sandwich assay, a first antibody having specificity for RV or antigenic parts thereof, is either covalently or passively bound to a solid surface. The solid surface is typically glass or a polymer, the most commonly used polymers being cellulose, polyacrylamide, nylon, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene. The solid supports may be in the form of tubes, beads, discs of microplates, or any other surface suitable for conducting an immunoassay. The binding processes are well-known in the art and generally consist of cross-linking covalently binding or physically adsorbing, the polymer-antibody complex is washed in preparation for the test sample. An aliquot of the sample to be tested is then added to the solid phase complex and incubated for a period of time sufficient (e.g. 2-40 minutes or where more convenient, overnight) and under suitable conditions (e.g. for about 20° C. to about 40° C.) to allow binding of any subunit present in the antibody. Following the incubation period, the antibody subunit solid phase is washed and dried and incubated with a second antibody specific for a portion of the hapten. The second antibody is linked to a reporter molecule which is used to indicate the binding of the second antibody to the hapten.

An alternative method involves immobilizing an RV antigen and then exposing the immobilized target to serum or plasma. Depending on the amount of target and the strength of the reporter molecule signal, a bound target may be detectable by direct labeling with the antibody. Alternatively, a second labeled antibody, specific to the first antibody is exposed to the target-first antibody complex to form a target-first antibody-second antibody tertiary complex. The complex is detected by the signal emitted by the reporter molecule.

By “reporter molecule” as used in the present specification, is meant a molecule which, by its chemical nature, provides an analytically identifiable signal which allows the detection of antigen-bound antibody. Detection may be either qualitative or quantitative. The most commonly used reporter molecules in this type of assay are either enzymes, fluorophores or radionuclide containing molecules (i.e. radioisotopes) and chemiluminescent molecules. In the case of an enzyme immunoassay, an enzyme is conjugated to the second antibody, generally by means of glutaraldehyde or periodate. As will be readily recognized, however, a wide variety of different conjugation techniques exist, which are readily available to the skilled artisan. Commonly used enzymes include horseradish peroxidase, glucose oxidase, beta-galactosidase and alkaline phosphatase, amongst others. The substrates to be used with the specific enzymes are generally chosen for the production, upon hydrolysis by the corresponding enzyme, of a detectable color change. Examples of suitable enzymes include alkaline phosphatase and peroxidase. It is also possible to employ fluorogenic substrates, which yield a fluorescent product rather than the chromogenic substrates noted above. In all cases, the enzyme-labeled antibody is added to the first antibody-antigen complex, allowed to bind, and then the excess reagent is washed away. A solution containing the appropriate substrate is then added to the complex of antibody-antigen-antibody. The substrate will react with the enzyme linked to the second antibody, giving a qualitative visual signal, which may be further quantitated, usually spectrophotometrically, to give an indication of the amount of antigen which was present in the sample. “Reporter molecule” also extends to use of cell agglutination or inhibition of agglutination such as red blood cells on latex beads, and the like.

Alternately, fluorescent compounds, such as fluorescein and rhodamine, may be chemically coupled to antibodies without altering their binding capacity. When activated by illumination with light of a particular wavelength, the fluorochrome-labeled antibody adsorbs the light energy, inducing a state to excitability in the molecule, followed by emission of the light at a characteristic color visually detectable with a light microscope. The fluorescent labeled antibody is allowed to bind to the first antibody-hapten complex. After washing off the unbound reagent, the remaining tertiary complex is then exposed to the light of the appropriate wavelength the fluorescence observed indicates the presence of the hapten of interest. Immunofluorescene and EIA techniques are both very well established in the art and are particularly preferred for the present method. However, other reporter molecules, such as radioisotope, chemiluminescent or bioluminescent molecules, may also be employed.

Genetic assays such as involving PCR analysis to detect Vero-adapted RV such as Vero-RV3 may also be conducted and are encompassed herein. Such genetic assays are useful for detecting nucleotide changes as contemplated herein.

Kits such as kits in compartmental forms wherein the compartments comprise reagents including antibodies, PCR components, substrates from reporter molecules and/or solid supports comprising immobilized antibodies or antigens are also provided. A set of instructions may also be included.

EXAMPLES

Aspects taught by the present disclosure are further described by the following non-limiting Examples.

Example 1 Procedure for Cultivation of Rotavirus Vaccine in Vero Cells

The following describes the method of adapting the rotavirus (RV3) to Vero cells.

1-1 Materials.

-   1. Virus Production Serum Free Medium (VP-SFM) GIBCO #11681. -   2. L-Glutamine (0.2M) ICN Biomedicals Inc. #16-801-49 use @ 9     ml/litre. -   3. Penicillin/Streptomycin (100×)CSL use @100 IU/ml/ -   4. Trypsin 1× Sigma Chemicals #T-7418 (use at 50 μg/ml for     activation and 5 μg/ml for maintenance medium). -   5. RV3 rotavirus: the RV3 strain of rotavirus is a serotype     G3P2A[6], subgroup II, long electropherotype which was isolated from     a neonate with asymptomatic infection. Suitable RV3 strains include     Hu/Australia/10-25-10/77/L (ATCC identification number VR2104,     deposit date: 1 Feb. 1985) and Hu/Australia/1-9-12/77/S (ATCC     identification number R2105, deposit date: 1 Feb. 1985). -   6. Vero cells

1-2 Preparation of Initial Virus Inoculum.

The RV3 was subject to trypsinization prior to infection of Vero cells. Briefly, 200 μl per tube of RV3 vaccine stock is incubated with 20 μl of 0.5 mg/ml trypsin for 30 mins at 37° C., then place at 4° C. until cell culture preparation is complete. This is at a higher concentration than is normally used to activate RV for infection into cells. Standard trypsin activation utilize between 5-15 μg/ml of porcine trypsin to cleave the rotavirus VP4 protein, which allows virus to become activated and ultimately bind to cells, enter and undergo replication. In this process, >3 times the standard amount to activate RV3BB is used.

1-3 Preparation of Vero Cells and Inoculation of Roller Tubes with RV3.

Vero cells in a flask were washed twice with PBS and placed into suspension following trypsinization using standard cell culture protocols. The trypsinized Vero cells were resuspended in 50 ml of PBS and centrifuged at 1700 rpm for 10 mins. The supernatant was removed and the pelleted Vero cells were washed and re-centrifuged as above in PBS. Cell count was performed and Vero cells were diluted in VP-SFM-T. (ie. VP-SFM+5 ug/ml Trypsin) to 7×10⁵ cells/ml. A total of approximately 2×10⁶ cells (2.5 mls of cell suspension) was placed into each sterile roller tissue culture tubes with either 200 ul of the trypsinized virus suspension, or as a control, “mock-infected” with media and trypsin (VP-SFM-T). Virus and cells are incubated at 37° C./5% v/v CO₂/95% v/v air on a roller apparatus. After 24 hours, a further aliquot of trypsinized and washed Vero cells was added (2×10⁶ cells in 100 ul total volume VP-SFM). Infection was allowed to proceed and virus was harvested at 40 hours post-infection. To harvest RV3 virus, cells were lysed by two rounds of freezing (−70° C.) and thawing. The virus was centrifuged at a low speed to removed cellular debris and the clarified virus suspension was stored at −70° C.

Virus can be titrated to determine the number of infectious foci using standard procedures in MA104 cells.

Example 2 RNA Extraction and Method for RT-PCR Amplification and Sequencing

RNA Extraction.

Viral RNA was extracted from Vero-adapted RV-3 strain using the QlAamp Viral RNA minikit (QIAGEN, Westburg, Leusden, The Netherlands) according to the manufacturer's protocol.

RT-PCR.

Reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) was carried out using the Invitrogen one-step RT-PCR kit (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif., USA). Primers used for the amplification of rotavirus genes are listed in Table 1. The RT-PCR was carried out with an initial reverse transcription step of 30 min at 45° C., followed by PCR activation at 95° C. for 15 min. Amplification consisted of 40 cycles at 45 sec at 94° C., 45 sec at 45° C. and 75 sec at 70° C. for VP6, VP7, NSP1-5 and 45 sec at 94° C., 45 sec at 45° C. and 3 min at 70° C. for VP1-4. The final extension was performed at 7 min at 70° C. The amplicon was separated by electrophoresis and the appropriate DNA gel excised and purified using the QlAquick gel extraction kit (QIAGEN) according to the manufacturer's specification with the following modifications. Step 5, the addition of isopropanol to the emulsified gel DNA mixture was omitted and Step 9 the additional wash step to remove traces of agarose, labelled as optional by the manufacturer was included.

Sequencing.

Sequencing was carried out using Big Dye version 3.1 (ABI) according to the manufactures methods. The primers listed in Table 4 were used also for sequencing. Additional internal primers were used if required.

TABLE 4 Primers used for the amplification and sequencing of RV-3 viral genome Gene Primer name Primer sequence (5′ to 3′) SEQ ID VP1 JCVI_VP1_5′UTR TGTAAAACGACGGCCAGTGGCTATTAAAGCTGTAC SEQ ID NO: 1 GEN-VP1R GGTCACATCCTAAGCCGYTC SEQ ID NO: 2 VP2 GEN-VP2F GGCTATTRAAGYTCAATGG SEQ ID NO: 3 GEN-VP2R GGTCATATCTCCACARTGG SEQ ID NO: 4 VP3 GEN-VP3F GGCTWTTAAAGCAGTACCA SEQ ID NO: 5 GEN-VP3R GGYCACATCATGACTAGTG SEQ ID NO: 6 VP4 JP_1_For_g4_RV3 GGCTATAAAATGGCTTCACTC SEQ ID NO: 7 JCVI_VP4_3′UTR CAGGAAACAGCTATGACCGGTCACATYCCTCRATR SEQ ID NO: 8 VP6 GEN-VP6F GGCTTTWAAACGAAGAAGTCTT SEQ ID NO: 9 GEN-VP6R GGT CAC ATC CTC TCA CT SEQ ID NO: 10 VP7 Beg9 GGCTTTAAAAGAGAGAATTTCCGTCTGG SEQ ID NO: 11 End9 GGTCACATCATACAATTCTAATCTAAG SEQ ID NO: 12 NSP1 JCVI_NSP1_5′UTR TGTAAAACGACGGCCAGTTATGAAAAGTCTTGTGGAAGC SEQ ID NO: 13 JCVI_NSP1_3′UTR CAGGAAACAGCTATGACCCATTTTATGCTGCCTAGGCG SEQ ID NO: 14 NSP2 GEN-NSP2F GGCTTTTAAAGCGTCTCAG SEQ ID NO: 15 GEN-NSP2R GGTCACATAAGCGCTTTC SEQ ID NO: 16 NSP3 GEN-NSP3F GGCTTTTAATGCTTTTCAGTG SEQ ID NO: 17 GEN-NSP3R ACATAACGCCCCTATAGC SEQ ID NO: 18 NSP4 10.1 GGCTTTTAAAAGTTCTGTCC SEQ ID NO: 19 10.2 GGTCACACTAAGACCATTCC SEQ ID NO: 20 NSP5 GEN-NSP5F GGCTTTTAAAGCGCTACAG SEQ ID NO: 21 GEN-NSP5R GGTCACAAAACGGGAGT SEQ ID NO: 22

Example 3 Identification of Nucleotide and Amino Acid Changes in RV3-Vero Compared to MA104 Adapted RV3

Unique nucleotide changes were identified in the RV3-Vero in comparison to the RV3 derived in MA104 cells (FIGS. 1 to 42 and Tables 2 and 5).

The unique nucleotide changes were located in a codon in NSP4 selected from 53, 76, 85, 162 and 165, a codon in NSP5/6 selected from 46 and 112, a codon in VP1 selected from 886, a codon in VP3 selected from 643 and 785, and a codon in VP4 selected from 43, 374, 385, 388, 442 and 756 and/or a nucleotide in NSP2 selected from 433, a nucleotide in NSP4 selected from 197, 267, 294, 525 and 534, a nucleotide in NSP5/6 selected from 158, 165 and 355, a nucleotide in VP1 selected from 2692, a nucleotide in VP3 selected from 343, 1366, 1744, 1976 and 2402 and/or a nucleotide in VP4 selected from 136, 369, 1130, 1162, 1171, 1334 and 2276. The specific nucleotide mutations in Vero-RV3 relative to MA104-RV3 are shown Tables 2 and 5.

TABLE 5 Nucleotide and amino acid differences between MA104-adapted RV3 and Vero- adapted RV3 Protein (bp- nt region Nucleotide Amino acid size) sequenced* substitutions¹ substitutions VP1 (3268 bp) 37-3303 Vaccine 2692 T to Vaccine 886 F to MA104 2656 G MA104 886 V VP2 (2717 bp) 17-2686 none none VP3 (2591 bp) 50-2554 Vaccine 343 C to MA104 Vaccine 643 K to 294T MA104 643 E Vaccine 1366 G to Vaccine 785 H to MA104 1317 A MA104 785 Y Vaccine 1744 C to MA104 1695 T Vaccine 1976 A to MA104 1927 G Vaccine 2402 C to MA104 2353 T VP4 (2359 bp) 10-2334 Vaccine 136 A to MA104 Vaccine 43 T to MA104 127C 43 P Vaccine 369 G to MA104 Vaccine 374 S to 360A MA104 374 L Vaccine 1130 C to Vaccine 385 N to MA104 1121T MA104 385 D Vaccine 1162 A to Vaccine 388 L to MA104 1153 G MA104 388I Vaccine 1171 C to Vaccine 442 H to MA104 1162 A MA104 442 R Vaccine 1334 A to Vaccine 756I to MA104 MA104 1325 G 756N Vaccine 2276 T to MA104 2267 A VP6 (1359 bp) 27-1217 none none VP7 49-1026 none none ((1062 bp) NSP1 47-1498 none none (1461 bp) NSP2 47-997 Vaccine 433 A to MA104 none (1059 bp) 387 G NPS3 35-964 none none (1070 bp) NSP4 (750 bp) 41-565 Vaccine 197 A to MA104 Vaccine 53 T to MA104 157 G 53 A Vaccine 267 C to MA104 Vaccine 76 T to MA104 227 T 761 Vaccine 294 A to MA104 Vaccine 85 Y to 254 G MA104 85 C Vaccine 525 G to MA104 Vaccine 162 G to 485 T MA104 162 V Vaccine 534 T to MA104 Vaccine 165 L to 494 C MA104 165P NSP5/6 22-612 Vaccine 158 A to MA104 Vaccine 46 E to MA104 (664 bp) 137G 46 G Vaccine 165 C to MA104 Vaccine 112 I to 144 T MA104 112 L Vaccine 355 A to MA104 334 T ¹Nucleotide sequence for the coding region of each gene was compared to that of RV3 MA104-adpated virus published by Rippinger et al, 2010 supra.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that aspects of the invention described herein are susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that these aspects include all such variations and modifications. The disclosure teaches all of the steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of the steps or features.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

-   Albert et al. (1983) J. Clin. Microbiol 17:162-164 -   Bern and Glass (1994) Impact of diarrheal diseases worldwide In     Kapikian Ariz. (ed) Viral Infections of the grastrointestinal tract,     2n^(d) edition, New York Marcel Dekker, Inc.:1-26 -   Coligan et al. (1991-1997) Current Protocols in Immunology -   Gefter et al. (1977) Somatic Cell Genet. 3:231-236 -   Jiang et al. (2002) Clin Infect Dis 34:1351-1361 -   Kohler et al. (1975) Nature 256:495-499 -   Kohler et al (1976) Eur. J. Immunol. 6(7): 511-519 -   Kozbor et al. 1986) Methods in Enzymology 121:140 -   Rippinger et al. (2010) Virology 405(1):1201-1213 -   Rodger et al. (1981) J. Clin. Microbiol 13:272-278 -   Sato et al. (1981) Arch. Virol. 69:155-160 -   Toyama et al. (1987) Monoclonal Antibody, Experiment Manual,     published by Kodansha Scientific -   Trowbridge (1982) J. Exp. Med. 148(1):220-227 -   Volk et al. (1982) J. Virol. 42(1):220-227 

1. A method for culturing a strain of rotavirus (RV), said method comprising subjecting an aliquot or inoculum of RV to activation by a trypsinization step comprising administering trypsin at greater than 3 times the standard concentration of trypsin used for activation of RV for infection into cells of 5-15 μg/ml and culturing the activated RV in Vero cells or a Vero cell-derived cell line for a time and under conditions sufficient for the RV to undergo a genetic modification resulting in an amino acid change in one or more of VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6 and/or nucleotide change in one or more of VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP2, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the RV strain is human RV3.
 3. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of harvesting the RV.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the trypsin is porcine, ruminant animal or recombinant trypsin.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the ruminant animal trypsin is bovine, ovine, caprine or camelus trypsin.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the amino acid or nucleotide change is compared to MA104-adapted RV.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the amino acid or nucleotide change is in a codon in NSP4 selected from 53, 76, 85, 162 and 165, a codon in NSP5/6 selected from 46 and 112, a codon in VP1 selected from 886, a codon in VP3 selected from 643 and 785, and a codon in VP4 selected from 43, 374, 385, 388, 442 and 756 and/or a nucleotide in NSP2 selected from 433, a nucleotide in NSP4 selected from 197, 267, 294, 525 and 534, a nucleotide in NSP5/6 selected from 158, 165 and 355, a nucleotide in VP1 selected from 2692, a nucleotide in VP3 selected from 343, 1366, 1744, 1976 and 2402 and/or a nucleotide in VP4 selected from 136, 369, 1130, 1162, 1171, 1334 and
 2276. 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the amino acid or nucleotide change is selected from the list provided in Table 2 or Table
 5. 9. A method for generating an attenuated RV3 in Vero cells, said method comprising subjecting an aliquot or inoculum of RV3 to activation by a trypsinization step comprising administering trypsin at greater than 3 times the standard concentration of trypsin used for activation of RV3 for infection into cells of 5-15 μg/ml and culturing the activated RV3 and culturing the activated RV3 with Vero cells or a Vero cell-derived cell line for a time and under conditions sufficient for a genetic modification to occur selected from the list provided in Table 2 or Table 5 compared to MA104-adapted RV3.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the trypsin is porcine, ruminant animal or recombinant trypsin.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the ruminant animal trypsin is bovine, ovine, caprine or camelus trypsin.
 12. (canceled)
 13. (canceled)
 14. (canceled)
 15. A method for vaccinating a human subject against RV infection, said method comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of the strain of rotavirus of claim 9 for a time and under conditions sufficient to generate an immune response against RV infection, which immune response is preferably a protective immune response.
 16. A method for treating a human subject with an RV infection or at risk of developing an RV infection or re-infection said method comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of the strain of rotavirus of claim 9 for a time and under conditions sufficient to generate an immune response against RV infection.
 17. An isolated antibody to the attenuated RV3 in Vero cells of claim
 13. 18. A method for detecting or monitoring the attenuated RV3 in Vero cells of claim 13 said method comprising screening for a genetic modification resulting in an amino acid change in one or more of VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6 and/or nucleotide change in one or more of VP1, VP3, VP4, NSP2, NSP4 and/or NSP5/6.
 19. The strain of rotavirus (RV) produced by the method of claim
 1. 20. The attenuated RV3 in Vero cells produced by the method of claim
 10. 